Planter water level control device

ABSTRACT

The present invention planter water level control device includes a pot with a water level indicator means and a drainage means to prevent or eliminate overfill of liquid. In some embodiments it includes both a pot and a pot holder. Either the pot or the pot holder of both may contain the water indicator level means and may contain the drainage means. One version of the water level indicator means is a housing with a water inlet opening in the form of a tube, and this may or may not include a float or stem. Alternative indicators include vertical transparent sections as well as electronically based signalling means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. 1. Field of the Invention

2. The present invention relates to planters and, more particularly, toplanters having a water indicating device and a drainage mechanism toprevent overflow or overfill.

3. 2. Information Disclosure Statement

4. Various types of planters having a water indicating device or waterregulating means have been designed. The following represents the stateof the art:

5. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,994 issued to Wen S. Chou discloses a flower potincluding a pot body having an annular water reservoir disposed at thetop, a water supply regulator consisting of a base block disposed in theannular water reservoir, a water guiding strap having a leading enddipped in water in the annular water reservoir and an opposite endextended into the pot body to guide water from the annular reservoirinto the pot body by capillary action, and an adjusting block moved in avertical sliding slot on the base block to adjust the elevation of theleading end of the water guiding strap in water; and a locating devicefastened to the pot body to hold down the water guiding strip.

6. U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,371 to Anthony L. Wells discloses a wateringsystem which consists of a water supply, an area of soil, vegetationwithin the area of soil and a mechanism for conveying water from thewater supply by capillary action to the vegetation within the area ofsoil, so that the vegetation can grow normally within the soil.

7. U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,751 to Frans Carpay describes and illustrates amodular plant stand which may be assembled easily from a kit and whendisassembled, the parts may be stacked together in a compact bundle. Theplant stand has a number of vertical corner members, a number of wallpanels which fit between adjacent corner members, a top collar and abottom collar. The corner members and wall panels fit into channels inthe top and bottom collars. The top collar has an inwardly extendingflange from which an inner soil containing liner, which may be a plantpot suspended from its top edge. The inner liner hangs down inside theplant stand and is therefore hidden from view. The sides and bottom ofthe inner liner are exposed to the air inside the plant stand and aretherefore well ventilated. The weight of the inner liner and anymaterials that it contains helps to stabilize and hold together theplant stand. The bottom collar of the plant stand may be equipped with aflange to support a drip tray below the inner liner.

8. U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,229 to Mats Lindgren relates to a plant growingand cultivation system comprising a plant growing table, plant growingcontainers mounted in the table, as well as a drainage system forsurplus water and condensing water from the plant containers. The tableis built with profiles connected to each other and forming bearingsupports for plant containers mounted in the table, which bearingsupports include elements which forms channels for passing water. Thechannels are located in a bottom of the device.

9. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,649 to Richard W. Brownlee describes anillustrates a storage receptacle assembly which includes a housing madeup of stepped side walls, a rear wall, a front wall section at each stepand top wall sections at each step. At least one container is located ateach step, preferably received in an opening defined by the top wallsection thereat. The containers define at least one water drain openingtherein which is associated with a Water drain system and withappropriate controls for maintaining water within the container ordraining same therefrom. A cut item separator support may be providedwithin the containers for dividing the inside of the containers into aplurality of compartments for the receipt of floral items therein andfor water-free transfer of foliage from one container to another.

10. U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,197 to Graeme S. Pope discloses a plantcontainer having selectable drainage characteristics including a bottomand side walls, and a drainage riser extending interiorly from thebottom. The riser has drainage openings adjacent the interior extremityand including an opening communication through the bottom. A removableplug is provided for closing the bottom opening. A plant support anddrainage platform is removably fitted across the enclosure above theextremity of the drainage riser, so as to define a plenum between thedrainage platform and the riser.

11. U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,593 to Edwin J. Bigglestone describes andillustrates a pot for growing plants which includes a water levelindicator and outer pot and an inner pot having a lower portion ofreduced diameter through which water is conducted upwardly by surfacetension activity. The water level indicator includes a float in thewater reservoir having a stem extending upwardly through a water inletto indicate the water level.

12. U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,991 to Willie Earl Bridwell discloses a liquidgauge mechanism in which the casing for the gauge mechanism is at leastpartially submerged within the root system and surrounding liquid so asto indicate the level of liquid within the container. An indicatorelement is movably disposed within the hollow container of the gaugemechanism and has indicia formed thereon so as to be viewable throughthe casing of the indicator means. The level of liquid within thecontainer is the same as the level of liquid within the casing. Theindicator element being floatable within the casing serves to positionthe indicia thereon in aligned relation with a window or viewing portionthrough the casing so as to indicate the level of the liquid relative tothe root system of the plant maintained within the container.

13. U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,143 to Harold A. Hothan discloses a liquiddetecting gauge which has a tubular housing in which is confined aspherical float with an attached float stem. The housing is a rigid tubeenclosed at top and bottom by friction fitting caps, the bottom capbeing distinguished by an upstanding flange which fits the tube tightlyat its lower end and then diverges from the tube wall to form a gutterat the base of that wall. The spherical float is freely movable withinthe tube and the float stem extends upwardly from the float and througha guide hole at the center of the top cap. A rain cap is attached to thetop of the stem and is sized to cover the space between the stem andguide hole to keep water from overhead sprinklers out of the housing.

14. U.S. Pat. No. Design 257,529 to Joachim E. Raap discloses anornamental design for a combined plant pot liner and a water levelgauge.

15. Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neithertaught nor rendered obvious thereby. None of the prior art listed abovediscloses a liquid gauge attached to a bottom or a side of a pot andalso having a drainage mechanism on a side of the pot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

16. The present invention planter water level control device includes apot with a water level indicator means and a drainage means to preventor eliminate overfill of liquid. In some embodiments it includes both apot and a pot holder. Either the pot or the pot holder of both maycontain the water indicator level means and may contain the drainagemeans. One version of the water level indicator means is a housing witha water inlet opening in the form of a tube, and this may or may notinclude a float or stem. Alternative indicators include verticaltransparent sections as well as electronically based signalling means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

17. The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

18.FIG. 1 is an elevational front view of a planter water level controldevice having a water level indicator attached to a bottom of thedevice;

19.FIG. 2 is a partial rear elevational view of the planter water levelcontrol device show in FIG. 1 with a transparent portion on the deviceexposing the water level indicator;

20.FIG. 3 is a side view of the planter water level control device shownin FIG. 2 but having a cover inserted into the transparent portion;

21.FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a planterwater level control device having a water level indicator with a stemand attached to a side of the device;

22.FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a planterwater level control device having a recessed drainage mechanism;

23.FIG. 6 is a front cut cross sectional view of another embodiment of aplanter water level control device having multiple inner pots and anelectronic sensing water level indicator;

24.FIG. 7 is a top view of the planter water level control device shownin FIG. 6 with the inner pots removed;

25.FIG. 8 is a top view of one of the inner pots shown in the planterwater level control device of FIG. 6;

26.FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a planter waterlevel control device having a transparent pot as a water levelindicator; and

27.FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a planterwater level control device having one pot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

28. The present invention is a planter water level control device. Thedevice can be a pot or be a pot assembly including a pot holder and atleast one inner pot. The device includes at least one water levelindicator means and at least one drainage means to prevent overflow oroverfill of liquid. Thus, the present invention device may have both thewater level indicator means and the drainage means as part of the potassembly or both may be part of a pot holder assembly, or either one ofthese means may be located on a pot or the other on a pot holder. When adevice is a pot, it may be a single piece or connected components. Whenthe device includes both a pot and a pot holder, they may be separatelyconstructed or formed intervally, may by physically connected to oneanother or the pot may nest within the holder or merely rest therein.The pot may be a garden pot, a fanciful large vase, a floor pot, ahanging pot, a modular pot and the like. The pot may have a transparentportion on a side for viewing the water level indicator means. Anoptional cover may be placed over the transparent portion, and this maybe made out of a material that matches the material of the pot or mayotherwise be constructed.

29. The preferred embodiment of the water level indicator means has ahousing having a body, a top, and a float. The body essentially includesat least one opening to allow water to enter the water level indicatormeans so that it may seek its own level and concomitantly raise thefloat to indicate that water level. This opening may advantageously belocated at or near the bottom but should at least be low enough topermit intake of water at lower levels of concern to the user or, belowan optional minimum water level indicator line. Also, note that thefloat enhances visual identification of the water level, but the floatmay be eliminated and the water level itself will be the visualindicator. There may also be ah optional stem attached to the floatwhich rises up through an aperture in the top as the level of liquid inthe water level indicator rises. The level of the float in the waterlevel indicator means may be optionally viewed through a transparentportion in a side of the pot. Also, the opening in the body of thehousing of the water level indicator means may include a filterablematerial. The filterable material may be a mesh or stall perforationgrid. The exact size of the mesh or grid openings depends upon the typeof rock/soil that may be used in the pot, but must be small enough toprevent soil, rock and other pot material to enter the water levelindicator means, yet be large enough to prevent water to enter.

30. The water level indicator is attached to a receiving portion in abottom or a side of the pot. The dimensions of the projecting portionare smaller than the dimensions of the receiving portion so that theprojecting portion and receiving portion may be friction fitted, snapfitted and the like.

31. The drainage means is located on a side of the pot and contains arelease valve for draining liquid. The release valve may be a spigot, alever, a push-in valve, a pull valve, a plug or the like. The drainagemeans may protrude beyond the pot or be recessed in the pot.

32. When the pot is filled with enough liquid, the liquid will flowthrough the water level indicator means housing into an interior of thebody. The liquid in the body will cause the float to rise andconsequently the stem, if included, will rise through the top closuremeans. By either viewing the level of the float through the transparentportion on the pot or viewing the level of the stem above the topclosure means, one can determine the level of liquid within the float.Thus, by viewing the water level indicator, there will be an indicationof the level of liquid within the pot.

33. When the water level indicator shows that the liquid level is toohigh, the release valve of the drainage means may be released to drainliquid from the pot. Thus, the drainage means prevents overflow oroverfill.

34. Another embodiment of the water level indicator means includes a potmade from a transparent material. Thus, the liquid level may be visuallydetermined.

35. Still yet another embodiment of the water level indicator includeselectronic sensors on the inner sides of a housing of the water levelindicator means connected to a chip. This chip may be wired to any powersource such as a battery, solar cell, house current or any other lowvoltage power source which may be available. In the case where the housecurrent is utilized, appropriate electronics to produce the desiredvoltage and amperage would be included. The chip is wired to a levelindicator. This indicator may be a digital display which displays thelevel of the liquid, as determined from the electrical sensors.Alternatively, it could be merely a warning light which illuminates, aflashing light, a color change indicator, a sounding device or anycombination of these.

36. In one embodiment, when the device is a pot holder which includes atleast one inner pots the pot holder may contain a drainage means and awater level indicator means. In addition, the at least one inner pot maycontain a drainage means and a water level indicator means, therebyallowing for variation in watering requirement for the plant in eachpot.

37. The present invention device may include either components which areavailable for pot planting such as insertable aeration devices layeringdevices, water capacity increasing contours, snap together componentry,raised posts or bubbles in the pot holders and any other features and/orancillary components which are available for planting pots. These may beutilized as separate components or may be structurally integrated intopresent embodiments of present invention devices.

38. Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a present invention planterwater level control device 1. The planter water level control device 1includes a pot 3, A water level indicator means 5 and a drainage means7.

39. The pot 3 includes a receiving portion 9 in the bottom of the pot 3for receiving the water level indicator means 5. The water levelindicator means includes an opening 10, in this case, a space betweenreceiving portion 9 and body 11 to permit water inflow. The water levelindicator means 5 includes a housing 15 having a body 11, a top closuremeans 13, an open bottom establishing opening 10 and a float means 17.The float means 17 is adapted to fit within the housing 15 and to risewhen the water level within the housing 15 rises. The housing may, asmentioned, include a material which allows liquid to flow through it,but not dirt and other particles. Some materials may be mesh, plasticgrid, porous plastic, porous foam or any other functional material.

40. The drainage means 7 includes a release valve 19 for allowing liquidto flow out of the drainage means 7. In this case, the release valve 19includes a faucet. Many other drainage means may be utilized withoutexceeding the scope of the present invention. They include push buttontype faucets, plugs, screw type valves, snap valves, pull valves or anyother type of valving means.

41. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a partial rearelevational view of the planter water level control device 1. The pot 3includes a transparent portion 21 for viewing the level of the float 17of the water level indicator means 5. The transparent portion 21 mayinclude a ledge 23 or other securing means, e.g. a hinge for securing anoptional cover 25 which may be placed over the transparent portion 21for aesthetic reasons to hide the indicator means from normal view, e.g.for expensive fanciful and ornate pieces. Thus, the cover 25 may be madefrom a material similar to that of the pot, thereby making the pot moreaesthetically pleasing.

42. When a viewer determines that the liquid level is too high by theposition of the float 17 within the water level indicator means 5, thefaucet 19 on the drainage means 7 (FIG. 1) is rotated to a positionwhich causes the liquid to flow out of the pot 3. When the liquid isdrained, the faucet 19 is rotated to a closed position therebypreventing flow of liquid. Obversely, when float 17 is near the bottomindicating a very low water level, it is time for the user to re-waterthe plant.

43. Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternate embodimentpresent invention planter water level control device 101, having waterlevel indicator means 105 and pot 103. Like parts are similarly numberedto those in FIG. 1, but incremented by 100.

44. The water level indicator means 105 includes a stem 129 attached toa top of a float 117. The stem 129 may extend through an aperture 131 ina top closure means 113. As the water level rises, the stem 129 movesupward through the aperture 131 in the top closure means 113 andprovides for determining the liquid level by the height of the stem 129through the aperture 131. A receiving portion 110 for the water levelindicator 105 is attached to a side of the pot 103. This receivingportion is made of filterable material and covers an opening in housing111 through which water may enter.

45. Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternate embodimentdrainage means 207. Like parts are similarly numbered to those in FIG.1, but incremented by 100. The drainage means 207 is a push-in valve andis recessed within the side of the pot 203. In the case of recessedpush-in valves, an optional water receptacle tube may be provided touser to avoid spillage during draining.

46. Still yet another embodiment of the planter water level controldevice 301 is shown in FIG. 6. The device 301 includes a multiple potholder 333 (dish receptacle for one or more pots) and a plurality ofinner pots 303 and 304.

47. The pot holder 333 includes a water level indicator means 335 and adrainage means 337. The water level indicator means 335 includes anelectronic sensor 345 on an interior of a housing 339 connected to achip 341 which is wired to a battery 343 or other power source. The chip341 is also wired to a digital display 345 (see FIG. 7) which displaysthe level of the liquid, as determined from the electrical sensor 347.As mentioned above, other types of signalling devices may be used inplace of or in addition to the digital display 345. The housing 339 mayinclude a filterable material portion, such as mesh, etc., or smallperforations which allow liquid to flow through but prevents dirt andother particles from entering.

48. The drainage means 337 extends to an outer side of the pot holder333 but the design of the pot holder 333 causes the drainage means 337to be hidden when viewing the exterior of the pot holder 333. The designof the drainage means shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 could also be used with adifferently designed pot holder.

49. Each inner pot 303 includes a water level indicator means 305 and adrainage means 307. The water level indicator means 305 includes anelectronic sensor 348 on an interior of a housing 349 connected to achip 351 which is wired to a battery 353. The chip 351 is also wired toa digital display 355 (see FIG. 8) which displays the level of theliquid, as determined from the electrical sensor 348. The housing 349 ismade from a filterable material, such as mesh, etc., which allows liquidto flow through but prevents dirt and other particles from entering.

50. The drainage means 307 includes a push in valve 357 (see FIG. 8) onthe top of the inner pot 303 for releasing liquid from a discharge pipe359 on a lower level within the inner pot 303.

51. Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an alternate embodiment ofplanter water level control device 401. In this embodiment, water levelindicator means is a transparent pot holder 403 containing pot 404 andminiature tree 406, thereby allowing for viewing through the pot holder403 for the liquid level. The pot 404 includes at least one opening suchas opening 408 to permit water to seep out of pot 404 and into potholder 403. Also, drainage means 407 includes a valve 419 and downpipe427 for drainage. Optional high and low level indicators 410 and 412 aremarked on the side of pot holder 403, as shown.

52. Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown still yet an alternateembodiment of planter water level control device 501. Like parts aresimilarly numbered to those in FIG. 1, but incremented by 500. In thisembodiment, there is a pot holder 533 which includes a water levelindicator means 505 and a drainage means 507. The pot holder 533 isadapted to hold one inner pot 504. However, the inner pot is atraditional pot with drainage holes on the bottom. Also, in place ofutilizing water level indicator means 505, the pot holder 533 could becompletely transparent or have a vertical transparent section toindicate water level.

53. Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, theinvention can be hanging, rest on the floor, be placed on a shelf or beplaced in an arm stand. It is therefore understood that within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A planter water level control device, whichcomprises: (a) a pot including a water level indicator means; and (b) adrainage means located on a side of said pot for preventing oreliminating overfill of liquid.
 2. The planter water level controldevice of claim 1 wherein said water level indicator means includes saidpot having at least a vertical portion made from a transparent materialwhereby a level of liquid may be visually determined.
 3. The planterwater level control device of claim 1 wherein said water level indicatormeans includes a housing including a hollow body, a top closure means,and a projecting portion for insertion into a receiving portion attachedto one of a bottom of said pot and a side of said pot, said housinghaving an inlet opening whereby liquid may pass therethrough and solidsof a predetermined minimum size may not pass therethrough.
 4. Theplanter water level control device of claim 1 wherein said water levelindicator means includes float means adapted to fit within said housingso as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure means of saidhousing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollow body.5. The planter level water control device of claim 4 wherein said waterlevel indicator means further includes a stem attached to a top of saidfloat means and adapted to rise upwardly through an aperture in said topclosure means when said float means rises, such that when said housingis attached to said receiving portion of said pot, said liquid isfiltered through said housing, thereby causing said float means to riseand move upwardly through said aperture in said top closure meansproviding visual presentation of a level of liquid penetration byobserving height of said stem above said top closure means.
 6. Theplanter water level control device of claim 1 wherein said water levelindicator means includes a hollow housing having electrical contacts onan inner side, a chip external to said hollow housing and being wired tosaid electrical contacts, a power source external to said hollow housingand being wired to said chip and an indicator signalling means.
 7. Theplanter water level control device of claim 6 wherein said indicatorsignalling means is a display means digitally displaying a readout of alevel of liquid in said hollow housing.
 8. The planter water levelcontrol device of claim 4 wherein said drainage means includes a releasevalve for selectively allowing said liquid to flow out of said drainagemeans.
 9. The planter water level control device of claim 8 wherein saidpot includes a transparent portion on a side of said pot for viewingsaid water level indicator means.
 10. The planter water level controldevice of claim 9 wherein said pot includes an opaque piece which slidesinto a ledge around said transparent portion of said pot.
 11. A planterwater level control device which comprises: a. a pot; and, b. a potholder, wherein at least one of said pot and said pot holder includes awater level indicator means, and at least one of said pot and said potholder includes a drainage means for preventing overfill of liquid. 12.The planter water level control device of claim 11 wherein said waterlevel indicator means includes float means adapted to fit within saidhousing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure meansof said housing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollowbody.
 13. The planter water level control device of claim 11 whereinsaid water level indicator means includes float means adapted to fitwithin said housing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said topclosure means of said housing when liquid passes through said housinginto said hollow body.
 14. The planter water level control device ofclaim 11 wherein said water level indicator means includes a hollowhousing having electrical contacts on an inner side, a chip external tosaid hollow housing and being wired to said electrical contacts, a powersource external to said hollow housing and being wired to said chip andan indicator signalling means.
 15. The planter water level controldevice of claim 14 wherein said indicator signalling means is a displaymeans digitally displaying a readout of a level of liquid in said hollowhousing.
 16. The planter water level control device of claim 11 whereinsaid water level indicator means is located on said pot holder and atleast a portion of said pot holder is a vertical transparent section.17. A planter water level control device including: (a) a pot holderhaving a primary water level indicator means; (b) a primary drainagemeans located on a side of said pot holder for preventing overfill ofliquid; and (c) at least one inner pot for holding plants and soil, saidat least one inner pot being placed inside of said pot holder andincluding a secondary water level indicator means and a secondarydrainage means.
 18. The planter water level control device of claim 17wherein said water level indicator means includes a housing including ahollow body, a top closure means, and a projecting portion for insertioninto a receiving portion attached to one of a bottom of said pot and aside of said pot, said housing having an inlet opening whereby liquidmay pass therethrough and solids of a predetermined minimum size may notpass therethrough.
 19. The planter water level control device of claim17 wherein said primary water level indicator means includes float meansadapted to fit within said housing so as to be able to move upwardlytoward said top closure means of said housing when liquid passes throughsaid housing into said hollow body.
 20. The planter water level controldevice of claim 17 wherein said primary water level indicator meansincludes a hollow housing having electrical contacts on an inner side, achip external to said hollow housing and being wired to said electricalcontacts, a power source external to said hollow housing and being wiredto said chip and an indicator signalling means.